Help me become a metalhead.

[TheFrenzy]

38 years old. Love music, especially weirder genres, but I’ve never been able to get into metal.

Totally open minded here and willing to spend the next few months listening to the recommendations that follow.

I dig ska, punk, power metal and some folk metal bands, but these are relatively fringe to what “real” metalheads listen to.

So let’s start gently. Given what I already like, what are some albums I should start listening to in order to develop a taste and genuine appreciation for the genre/genres?

[49erRCCollector]

Originally Posted by TheFrenzy

38 years old. Love music, especially weirder genres, but I’ve never been able to get into metal.

Totally open minded here and willing to spend the next few months listening to the recommendations that follow.

I dig ska, punk, power metal and some folk metal bands, but these are relatively fringe to what “real” metalheads listen to.

So let’s start gently. Given what I already like, what are some albums I should start listening to in order to develop a taste and genuine appreciation for the genre/genres?

Can you give me a few metal albums or bands you like, and I can make some "gateway" suggestions?

[TheFrenzy]

Originally Posted by 49erRCCollector

Can you give me a few metal albums or bands you like, and I can make some "gateway" suggestions?

Memes:



A nice melody transitioning into some high-energy riffs.



Non-American / Folk:





Melodic / Pop / Orchestral???:



I won't listen the Nu Metal / Butt Rock songs, but sometimes I'll put that on while I'm at the gym and indulge.

I'm typing up a second post that should outline my thoughts and rankings of the genres currently.

[TheFrenzy]

I know there are several videos like this one, but using it as a starting point...

I’d listen to this right now:

- Folk Metal
- Power Metal
- Hair Metal
- Nu Metal (I am so sorry)
- Video Game Metal (I am not sorry)

Very close, but no cigar:

- Symphonic Metal
- Traditional Metal

I’d probably like it if I was listening to the right bands and spending more time with the genre:

- Grindcore
- Metalcore
- Thrash Metal
- Gothic Metal

I just don’t have the ear for this (but I’m willing to spend time listening):

- Prog Metal
- Tech Death
- Black Metal
- Death Metal
- Stoner Metal
- Doom Metal (sounds like worse Gothic Metal)

This is completely alien to me:

- Deathcore
- Industrial Metal

[ajlaxmn]

I'm not great with the genres, but I can list some bands that definitely are worth giving a listen to.

Sylosis
Heaven Shall Burn
Amon Amarth
Lorna Shore
Malevolence
Hatebreed
After the Burial
Parkway Drive
Lamb of God (my favorite, but obviously a popular band)
The Jotunn (band I just discovered but doesn't have much out)

[49erRCCollector]

Here's some records I would try (I'm avoiding stuff you can google on your own, Metallica, blah blah).

Agalloch - The Mantle. Clean singing mixed with growl vocals but lots of moody atmosphere. Folk Metal-ish.
Sea Hags - S/T: this is 80s but you might have missed. Produced by Mike Clink who had a hand in Appetite for Destruction and it shows.
Vain - No Respect - 80s again but really great, catchy.
Immortal - Sons of Northern Darkness - Black Metal, not as buzzsaw/alienating as the early stuff. Very epic, catchy even at times.
Death- Sound of Perseverance - Death/Tech metal. Very Listenable to these ears, proggy at times, final album by legendary band.
Testament - The New Order 80s thrash album but had a downright Hard Rock vibe at times.
Entombed - To Ride, Shoot Straight and Speak the Truth - this is a period where Swedish death metal bands all went through a "death 'n roll" phase and this record CRUSHES. Heavy and catchy.
Samael - Passage Industrial(ish) Metal with Keyboards. Catchy but very listenable.
Behemoth - Evangelion - the religious part of your brain will reject but I love this band. Death Metal I guess, but they are all about song and vibe.

bit of reach for muggle ears:

Skepticism - Alloy (Symphonic Doom) - Don't listen to it, just let it play. Get lost in the vibe. You'll know after 30 seconds if you can hang.
Vektor - Terminal Redux Thrash for the new era. Unlike other bands that tune down they tune UP. And it rules.

[spuds1961]

Music is Music Frenzy. You are trying much too hard.

[49erRCCollector]

Originally Posted by spuds1961

Music is Music Frenzy. You are trying much too hard.

I'm not so sure. There's Taylor Swift and then there is this (from Houston TX!):



music is not always music.

[TheFrenzy]

Originally Posted by spuds1961

Music is Music Frenzy. You are trying much too hard.

I hear you spuds. I am nothing if not a Try Hard.

I’m just wrapped up a big life stage and so I’ve got a bit of space to be intentional about exploring some new things.

Plus I know you’re a music buff, so don’t hide any recommendations from me!

[TheFrenzy]

Originally Posted by 49erRCCollector

Here's some records I would try (I'm avoiding stuff you can google on your own, Metallica, blah blah).

Agalloch - The Mantle. Clean singing mixed with growl vocals but lots of moody atmosphere. Folk Metal-ish.
Sea Hags - S/T: this is 80s but you might have missed. Produced by Mike Clink who had a hand in Appetite for Destruction and it shows.
Vain - No Respect - 80s again but really great, catchy.
Immortal - Sons of Northern Darkness - Black Metal, not as buzzsaw/alienating as the early stuff. Very epic, catchy even at times.
Death- Sound of Perseverance - Death/Tech metal. Very Listenable to these ears, proggy at times, final album by legendary band.
Testament - The New Order 80s thrash album but had a downright Hard Rock vibe at times.
Entombed - To Ride, Shoot Straight and Speak the Truth - this is a period where Swedish death metal bands all went through a "death 'n roll" phase and this record CRUSHES. Heavy and catchy.
Samael - Passage Industrial(ish) Metal with Keyboards. Catchy but very listenable.
Behemoth - Evangelion - the religious part of your brain will reject but I love this band. Death Metal I guess, but they are all about song and vibe.

bit of reach for muggle ears:

Skepticism - Alloy (Symphonic Doom) - Don't listen to it, just let it play. Get lost in the vibe. You'll know after 30 seconds if you can hang.
Vektor - Terminal Redux Thrash for the new era. Unlike other bands that tune down they tune UP. And it rules.

Listening to the Sylosis album while jogging along Town Lake here in Tempe, then I’ll be putting on Agalloch.

[spuds1961]

Originally Posted by 49erRCCollector

I'm not so sure. There's Taylor Swift and then there is this (from Houston TX!):



music is not always music.

I am talking metal, not all forms. Now let me get back to listening to my Partridge families greatest hits as done by megadeath album.

[spuds1961]

Originally Posted by TheFrenzy

I hear you spuds. I am nothing if not a Try Hard.

I’m just wrapped up a big life stage and so I’ve got a bit of space to be intentional about exploring some new things.

Plus I know you’re a music buff, so don’t hide any recommendations from me!

I can see how looking for new metal music to listen to could be fun and could also yield some good listening material. I just haven’t gone on a hunt for new music in awhile. Metal is not one of my strong points music wise in fact I haven’t found a new band that I like in quite some time.

[GoTribe!!!]

https://youtu.be/9d4ui9q7eDM?si=Pwk__9l2KpqerzeF

https://youtu.be/IyPZG6YGCqk?si=Ku74qjsSR5BL_z2H

[49erRCCollector]

Originally Posted by GoTribe!!!

https://youtu.be/9d4ui9q7eDM?si=Pwk__9l2KpqerzeF

https://youtu.be/IyPZG6YGCqk?si=Ku74qjsSR5BL_z2H

Rust in Peace is my #1 All Time Metal Record. Hands down. Perfection top to bottom.

[GoTribe!!!]

Originally Posted by 49erRCCollector

Rust in Peace is my #1 All Time Metal Record. Hands down. Perfection top to bottom.

If only you liked Star Wars

[hairysasquatch]

Originally Posted by GoTribe!!!

https://youtu.be/9d4ui9q7eDM?si=Pwk__9l2KpqerzeF

https://youtu.be/IyPZG6YGCqk?si=Ku74qjsSR5BL_z2H

I would listen to this guy's recommendations.

[49erRCCollector]

Originally Posted by GoTribe!!!

If only you liked Star Wars

I'd be the perfect male. Girls would really dig me. Metal and Sc-Fi: Chick Magnet interests.

[bigdog2003]

First question you have to answer is who would win a fight, Lemmy or God

[GoTribe!!!]

Originally Posted by 49erRCCollector

I'd be the perfect male. Girls would really dig me. Metal and Sc-Fi: Chick Magnet interests.

And sports cards, dont forget sports cards!!!

[49erRCCollector]

Originally Posted by GoTribe!!!

And sports cards, dont forget sports cards!!!

For sure - the holy trinity of attractive male interests. My wife LOVES all those things.

"Baby, I pulled an auto #'d to 5 out of retail" - smoothest opening line.

[49erRCCollector]

Frenzy - this EP is a favorite. Not Metal, per se, but metallic. Part of a wave of Shoegaze metal (this from the guy from Godflesh). Bands like the French band Alcest, etc. had a little wave of interest there for a while.

[GoTribe!!!]

Frenzy, basicslly take your pick from the following:
Sonic Temple 2025 - Friday lineup
Metallica
Rob Zombie
Alice Cooper
Suicidal Tendecies
Armored Saint
Exodus
Testament
Overkill
HateBreed
Acid Bath
Cannibal Corpse
Mastodon
Municipal Waste

[IndySportsCards]

I'm a Metalhead, have been since the 80's.. some of my more recent favs.

[TheFrenzy]

Sylosis - A Sign of Things to Come

Pretty good stuff. Track 5 ("Descent" - 18:06-mark) slipped into a bit of alternative rock with the chorus.

I'll be listening to some more of their albums this weekend.



Agalloch - The Mantle

Alright, so how blurry does the line get between "metal" and "postrock" here? I've listened to the band Oh Hiroshima for years and several of these tracks sound like they could be from one of their albums.

[DoubleD]

I love all kinds of music but Metal by far is my favorite. I grew up in the 80’s so big fan of that era. I would suggest you start with some British Metal first.
Juda Priest: Electric Eye, Heads are gonna roll, Love bites
Iron Maiden: Hallowed be thy name, The trooper, Revelations
Let me know what you think or like and I can make more suggestions.